[iqsgirl]

Hi:

Has anyone ever gone to the city to lower property tax on your home? My newest assessment is just unbelievable and I want to challenge the city. Anyone had success or failures in your respective areas.

iqsgirl

[AmyBergquist]

I challenged my assessment when Hartford was revalued in 2006 and lowered it about 13%.

The key is to either have town card fixed if it is incorrect (ie-wrong number of bathrooms, bedrooms, etc.) or bring sale data of comparable homes that contradicts the value that they are proposing. Also, the building condition and building grade greatly affect the value. So if the town is saying that your building grade or condition is Excellent or Very Good and it really isn't, this will drive your assessment up.

I also had a client in Simsbury that successfully lowered their assessment. The town revalued in October of 2007 and they purchased the house in December of 2007, well below the revalued amount. Their assessment was lowered to the purchase price.

Whatever you do, make sure you bring data and concrete facts. That's the only way to win...Best of luck!

[iqsgirl]

Thanks! I'm going to give it a try. It's a bit egregious for the town to raise my taxes citing the rising value in home prices with the US housing market taking an obvious nose-dive.